June 29, 2003	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 28,1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

MUZAFFARABAD, June 28: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Saturday unanimously called upon Islamabad not to obstruct the return of former prime ministers of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, in order to help establish the atmosphere of national unity and understanding in the country.

The demand came through a resolution which was jointly tabled at the outset of the budget session by five People’s Party MLAs through Sahibzada Mohammad Ishaq Zafar.

The movers had distanced themselves from the call of PPAJK chief Barrister Sultan Mahmood against prime minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat after being assured that the treasury benches would support their resolution.

However, on Saturday Speaker Sardar Siab Khalid formed a five-member committee, including three ministers and two opposition MLAs, to redraft and soften the language of the resolution.

The re-drafted resolution expressed satisfaction and paid tributes to President Gen Pervez Musharraf and the government of Pakistan for supporting Kashmiris’ cause and adopting categorical stand on the issue at every forum.

Expressing the hope that the Kashmiri leadership would be taken into confidence before the beginning of India-Pakistan talks, it also called for complete unanimity of the political leadership in Pakistan with regard to national issues, particularly the Kashmir policy.”

“The situation warrants for practical steps in Pakistan, which is an important party to Kashmir dispute, to establish an atmosphere of national understanding and solidarity.”

It stressed that the national leadership, particularly Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, be taken into confidence.

“The national leadership which is outside Pakistan and which has (rendered) great services with regard to the Kashmir liberation movement should be included in the process of national understanding before the commencement of India-Pakistan dialogue.”

The resolution also called for early disposal of the cases against Asif Ali Zardari in the same context.

Soon after the approval of resolution, opposition’s Chaudhry Majeed delivered an emotional speech and thanked the treasury benches, particularly the prime minister.